Effect of a very low energy diet on moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnoea in obese men: a randomised controlled trial
Johansson K
Published in BMJ
Methodology
Randomised controlled trial in obese men with moderate-severe OSA on CPAP; intervention group received a liquid very low energy diet (2.3 MJ/day) for 7 weeks then reintroduction, controls continued usual diet; polysomnographic AHI as primary outcome.
Key Findings
In 63 obese men with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea, a 9-week very low energy diet produced a mean weight loss of about 18 kg and reduced the apnoea-hypopnoea index by 23 events/hour versus 0.6 in controls; 17% of treated men had complete remission of sleep apnoea and 48% no longer needed CPAP, with the largest benefit in the most severe cases.
Conclusions
Substantial weight loss via a very low energy diet markedly improves obstructive sleep apnoea severity in obese men, and can eliminate the need for CPAP in some, but durability beyond 9 weeks was not tested.
Limitations
Men only, short 9-week intervention with no data on weight-regain or long-term AHI; single centre; unblinded dietary intervention; very low energy diets require supervision and are not broadly generalisable.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Swedish public research funding; study formula supplied by a manufacturer
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